Another person’s house given to a mosque does not become the mosque’s

Question

A relative of mine, who had gone to Pakistan, had a house. I was the one looking after it. Later I gave it to the mosque. The house is completely empty and fallen down. Now I need it; I want to live in it myself. I had only told the mosque people orally: “I have plenty of room; you take it for the mosque.” Nothing was put in writing. Now that I need it, I told them, and they refuse. I also want to give the mosque some money, but they do not agree. Now please write whether it is my right or not.

Answer

Since you are not the owner of that house but merely responsible for looking after it, you have no right either to give it to the mosque or to sell it to anyone. Whatever service and help you give the mosque from your own money is all a means of reward and recompense. You do, however, have only the right to use it with the permission of the owner of the house.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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